Jul
2013
15

Jordan Spieth made history on Sunday as he became the first teenager to win a PGA event since Ralph Guldahl in 1931. 19 year old Spieth sunk a bunker shot on the final hole of regulation to send him into a playoff with David Hearn and the defending champion, Zach Johnson. The intensity grew hole after hole, leading up to Spieth's grand finale in the 5th round. Spieth set up for a 26-inch putt on the 18th green, and nailed it. Along with a smooth $828,000 prize check, Jordan Spieth also earned a spot in next week's British Open in Scotland.

Oh, and did I mention Spieth is a Dallas native and member of our very own Brookhaven Country Club? Spieth attended Jesuit College Preparatory school in Dallas, TX and moved to Austin to begin his college career at the University of Texas. Making a name for himself early on in is time at Texas, Spieth won three events and lead the team in scoring average during his freshman year. He was also named Big 12 Freshman of the Year, selected to the All-Big 12 Team, and named a first-team All-American.

Aside from his accolades, Jordan Spieth shares something in common with previous teenage PGA victor, Ralph Guldahl. Guldahl was also a Dallas native as he attended Woodrow Wilson High School. In 1931, Guldahl entered the Santa Monica Open during his rookie season at age 19 and came out on top. He went on to win 15 additional PGA events throughout his career before retiring in 1959. After his professional career came to an end, Ralph Guldahl became a golf instructor at ClubCorp's own Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, CA.

We wish Jordan Spieth the best of luck as he competes in the British Open. If nothing else, he can now say he's accomplish something Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Roroy McIlroy never did.